Scaffold Storage Plank

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a scaffolding system with scaffolding frames and at least one scaffold storage plank. The scaffold storage plank comprises of a body that contains a storage reservoir capable of holding tools or equipment. The scaffold storage plank further comprises a cover to the storage reservoir and allows assess to the storage reservoir when the cover is in its open position. When the cover is in its closed position, the scaffold storage plank functions as a means of support. The scaffold storage plank may be locked to the scaffolding structure in the closed position so that tools and equipment stored within the scaffolding system are secure.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to scaffolding structures, and more particularly to an improved scaffold storage plank that provides a storage reservoir and a security locking device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, scaffolds, or a system of scaffolds, are made of a frame of metal tubes, bars or other beam members to form a lattice on which a plurality of scaffold planks rest. A common frame is made, for example, of one and one-half inch outer diameter tubes. The frame provides the vertical support for the planks, and the planks provide the platform upon which the workers, such as painters, masons, and carpenters, can perform their labor without worrying about continually moving ladders. The majority of the scaffold planks of the prior art are made of wood, metal, or plastic and are utilized exclusively for support purposes. What is lacking from the prior art is a scaffold plank that can be utilized both as a platform and as a means for storage.

Traditionally, workers on a scaffolding system would also have to bring with them a toolbox that holds the necessary tools for the job at hand. These toolboxes are often cumbersome and even dangerous because the workers can either trip over them or knock them over the plank. Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,342 by House attempts to address the issue of tool storage by providing a tray system that attaches to the scaffolding frames. Although this is a better alternative than a traditional tool box, it fails to provide a more permanent and safe storage alternative for expensive tools that can be lost or stolen during off hours. Additionally, the method of tool storage taught in House would not protect the tools from the elements and would require workers to remove the tools from the scaffolding structure at the end of each work day or during extended work breaks.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,080 by Klimas teaches of a toolbox that directly suspends on a horizontal member of the scaffolding frame. Klamas's toolbox only utilizes a two hook system to suspend on the frame of the scaffold without any other means of security. Once again, workers would have to remove this toolbox and their tools from the scaffolding structure to prevent theft during off hours.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,102 by Brown teaches of a ladder system where the individual steps each comprises of a tool box system to store a variety of tools. However, Brown fails to implement its invention toward a scaffolding system and scaffold planks Brown's invention fails to address the need to secure the tools during off hours when theft of the stored tools become a concern.

Therefore, a need exists for a scaffold storage plank to function as both a support platform and as tool storage capable of being securely fixed and locked onto a scaffolding frame so that workers can easily access their tools while on the scaffolding system and safely store their tools on the scaffolding system without worrying about theft. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from a consideration of the following drawings and a detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of prior art devices and provide a relatively inexpensive scaffold plank that provides the versatility of being a support structure and a storage structure. The scaffold storage plank of the present invention allows easy access to desired tools when workers are working on top of the scaffolding structure. When the work day is finished or during extended work breaks, workers can store all their tools and supplies within the storage reservoir, close the cover and lock the storage plank onto the frame of the scaffolding structure.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved and disclosed in the preferred embodiment where the novel scaffold storage plank comprises of a plank body with a storage reservoir and a cover capable of covering the storage reservoir. In the preferred embodiment the cover is pivotally connected to the inside of the storage reservoir. A locking mechanism is used to secure the scaffold plank and the said cover in the closed position onto a scaffolding frame.

These and other novel features and advantages of the invention will be described in greater detail in the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above description and other objects, advantages, and features of the present embodiment will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the scaffolding system with the scaffold storage plank positioned on a portable scaffolding structure.

FIG. 2 is a view of the scaffold storage plank with the cover in the open position.

FIG. 3 is the cut out view of the scaffold storage plank.

FIG. 4 is the front view of the scaffold storage plank with the cover closed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of scaffold storage plank with the cover closed.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the scaffold storage plank with the cover closed.

DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a portable and adjustable scaffolding system with multiple scaffold planks is generally depicted as element 10. The scaffolding system 10 can have multiple planks In the preferred embodiment, the storage plank 20 contains a storage reservoir 24 while a standard plank 30 is used for support purposes only. The positions of the storage plank 20 and standard plank 30 are interchangeable.

FIG. 2 shows the storage plank 20 comprised of a cover 22 for covering the body of the storage plank 25 and storage reservoir 24. The storage plank body 25 comprise of multiple notches 28 on both sides of the body used to set and secure the storage plank 20 onto a scaffolding frame 50.

In the preferred embodiment, the cover 22 is pivotally connected to the plank body 25 by multiple locking spring hinges 26 as shown in FIG. 3. The locking spring hinges 26 allow the cover 22 to stay in the open position even in an elevated environment where the wind may be particularly strong. This allows workers to add and remove tools without the risk of the cover accidentally closing on the hands of the worker. The locking spring hinge 26 also prevents the cover 22 from accidentally opening while in the closed position due to wind or vibration. FIG. 4 shows the storage plank 20 with the cover 22 in the closed position. When closed, the storage plank 20 functions as intended as a work bench or support structure for the workers.

A key novelty of the present invention is the ability to lock the entire storage plank 20 with the cover 22 closed and secured to the scaffolding fixture 10 to prevent theft. Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, attached to the bottom side of the cover 22 are two latch bars 21. On the body of the plank are two latch holes 23 positioned on both side of the notch 28 and sized to allow the latch bars 21 to fit through the body of plank when the cover 22 is in its closed position. At the tip of each latch bar 21 is a locking hole 31 that allows a lock or chain to connect the two latch bars 21. This combination of latch bars 21 and latch holes 31 positioned around the notch 28 allows users to secure the scaffolding frame 50 between the notch 28 and latch bars 21 when the cover 22 is in the closed position, thus locking the entire storage plank 20 onto the scaffolding frame 50. Furthermore, the locking spring hinges 26 are secured on the inside of the storage reservoir 24 and the bottom side of the cover 22 so that in the closed and locked position, the hinges 26 act as another means of preventing the cover from being opened by unauthorized individuals.

FIG. 6 shows the storage plank 20 in its closed position and illustrates the positioning of the latch bars 21 around the scaffolding frame. Although in the preferred embodiment, only one side comprises of the latching bars 21, it is understood that the latching bars 21 can be positioned on either or both sides of the plank and can be used to lock the plank to multiple locations on the scaffolding frame.

In the preferred embodiment the cover 22 also comprises a flange guard 27 where in its closed position further protects the storage reservoir and provides additional security against theft. Furthermore, the storage reservoir 24 in the preferred embodiment has ridges 29 horizontally positioned to allow tiered storage where a tool tray 40 can rest on top of the ridge 29. The tool tray 40 is independent and can be removed. In the preferred embodiment, the storage plank 20 is constructed out of light weight steel or suitable material and the tool tray 40 is made of a plastic type material.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiment that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention. For example, a scaffolding system can comprise of more than one storage planks 20. The scaffolding system can be of any type or size known in the art and need not be portable.

The size of the scaffold plank and the volume of the storage reservoir are not limited to any specific dimensions. The utility of the storage reservoir goes beyond just tools and can be used, depending on its size, to store construction supplies such as aluminum piping, bricks, etc.

The means of locking the storage plank 20 to the scaffolding fixture 50 is not limited to the latch bars 21. For example, instead of latch bars 21, the cover 22 may contain latch holes in parallel to the latch holes of the body, thus allowing a pad lock to secure the storage plank to the scaffolding frame in its closed position, not depicted.

The means of opening the cover 22 is not limited to the locking spring hinge 26. Alternative hinges or means of opening the cover to expose the storage reservoir 24 are within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the location of the hinges can be positioned anywhere within the storage reservoir 24, thus dictating the direction and manner in which cover 22 may be opened. Neither is there a limitation to the cover 22 being fixed in any manner to the storage reservoir 24 as it may be completely removable for access to the storage reservoir 24. The size of cover 22 is not limited to the size of the body section; instead the cover 22 only needs to allow access to the storage reservoir 24. The cover 22 may also contain its own locking mechanism. The storage plank 20 can be constructed of any material known in the art including metal, wood, and synthetic material.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

I claim:
 1. A scaffold storage plank comprising: a plank body further comprising of a storage reservoir; and a cover capable of covering the said storage reservoir.
 2. The scaffold storage plank of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism that secures the said scaffold plank and the said cover in the closed position onto a scaffolding frame.
 3. The scaffold storage plank of claim 1 wherein the said cover is pivotally connected to the inside of the said storage reservoir.
 4. The scaffold storage plank of claim 3 wherein the said cover is pivotally connected to the inside of the said storage reservoir using a locking spring hinge.
 5. The scaffold storage plank of claim 1 wherein the said cover further comprises of a flange guard angled substantially perpendicular to the cover thus overlapping the outer wall of the said plank body when the said cover is in its closed position.
 6. The scaffold storage plank of claim 1 wherein the said cover further comprises at least two latching bars, wherein one end of each of said latch bar is permanently secured to the bottom of the said cover and the other end of each of said latch bar comprises of a locking hole; and said latch bar is long enough to extend beyond said scaffolding frame wherein said locking holes are capable of receiving a pad lock.
 7. The scaffold storage plank of claim 6 wherein the plank body further comprises of at least one notch, sized to fit the said frame of the scaffolding system and a set of latch holes positioned on both side of the said notch and capable of receiving the said latch bars when the said cover is in the closed position.
 8. The scaffold storage plank of claim 1 further comprising of a ridge horizontally positioned in the said storage reservoir and a removable tool tray sized to fit within the said storage reservoir and rest on top of the said ridge.
 9. A scaffolding storage system comprising a scaffolding support frame structure and a scaffold storage plank.
 10. The scaffolding storage system of claim 9 wherein the said storage scaffold plank comprises: a plank body further comprising a storage reservoir; and a cover in its closed position that covers the said storage reservoir.
 11. The scaffolding storage system of claim 10 further comprising a locking mechanism that secures said scaffold plank and said cover in the closed position onto said scaffolding support frame.
 12. The scaffold storage plank of claim 10 wherein the said cover is pivotally connected to the inside of the said storage reservoir.
 13. The scaffold storage plank of claim 12 wherein the said cover is pivotally connected to the inside of the said storage reservoir using a locking spring hinge.
 14. The scaffold storage plank of claim 10 wherein the said cover further comprises of a flange guard angled substantially perpendicular to said cover thus overlapping the outer wall of said plank body when the said cover is in its closed position.
 15. The scaffold storage plank of claim 10 wherein the said cover further comprises at least two latching bars, wherein one end of each of said latch bar is permanently secured to the bottom of the said cover and the other end of each of said latch bar comprises of a locking hole; and said latch bar is long enough to extend beyond said scaffolding frame wherein said locking holes are capable of receiving a pad lock.
 16. The scaffold storage plank of claim 15 wherein the plank body further comprises at least one notch, sized to fit the said frame of the scaffolding system and a set of latch holes positioned on both side of the said notch and capable of receiving the said latch bars when the said cover is in the closed position.
 17. The scaffold storage plank of claim 10 further comprising of a ridge horizontally positioned in the said storage reservoir and a removable tool tray sized to fit within the said storage reservoir and rest on top of the said ridge.
 18. A scaffold storage plank comprising: a plank body further comprising of a storage reservoir; a cover pivotally attached to the inside of the said storage reserve; said cover in its closed position covers at least the entire said storage reservoir; and A locking mechanism that secures the scaffold plank and the cover in the closed position onto a scaffolding frame.
 19. The scaffold storage plank of claim 18 wherein the said locking mechanism comprises: latch bars where one end is connected to said cover and the other end comprises a locking hole, multiple latch holes positioned around an at least one notch on said storage plank body, and when the said cover is in its closed position, said latch bars extend through said latch holes and pass the depth of said notch and said scaffolding frame, thus allowing a lock to be placed between the said locking holes of said latch bars and securing the entire said storage plank with said cover closed onto said scaffolding structure.
 20. The scaffold storage plank of claim 18 wherein a locking spring hinge is used to pivotally secure the said cover to the said plank body.
 21. The scaffold storage plank of claim 19 further comprising of a ridge horizontally positioned in the said storage reservoir and a removable tool tray sized to fit within the said storage reservoir and rest on top of the said ridge. 